scholarly journals Structural and mechanistic basis of RNA extension in reiterative transcription initiation: RNA slipping without DNA scrunching

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu Liu ◽  
Jared T. Winkelman ◽  
Libig Yu ◽  
Chirangini Pukhrambam ◽  
Yu Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Start Site ◽  
Single Molecule ◽  
Transcription Initiation ◽  
Alternative Pathway ◽  
Variable Number ◽  
Start Site ◽  
Transcription Start ◽  
Reiterative Transcription ◽  
Promoter Dna ◽  
Dna Template

In standard transcription initiation, RNA polymerase (RNAP) binds to promoter DNA, unwinds promoter DNA, selects a transcription start site, and--using a "scrunching" mechanism, in which RNAP remains bound to the promoter, unwinds additional DNA, and pulls the additional unwound DNA past its active center, synthesizing an RNA product having a 5' sequence complementary to the DNA template. In an alternative pathway of transcription initiation, termed "reiterative transcription initiation," primarily observed at promoters containing homopolymeric sequences at or near the transcription start site, RNAP binds to promoter DNA, unwinds promoter DNA, selects a transcription start site, and--using a mechanism that has not previously been defined--generates an RNA product having a 5' sequence that contains a variable number of nucleotides not complementary to the DNA template. Here, using x-ray crystallography to define structures, using protein-DNA-photocrosslinking to map positions of RNAP leading and trailing edges relative to DNA, and using single-molecule DNA nanomanipulation to assess RNAP-dependent DNA unwinding, we show that RNA extension in reiterative transcription initiation (1) occurs without DNA scrunching, (2) involves a short, 2 bp (post-translocated state) to 3 bp (pre-translocated state) RNA-DNA hybrid, (3) and can involve an RNA product positioned as in standard transcription initiation and a DNA template strand positioned differently from standard transcription initiation. The results establish that, whereas RNA extension in standard transcription initiation proceeds through a scrunching mechanism, RNA extension in reiterative transcription initiation proceeds through a slippage mechanism, with sliding of RNA relative to DNA within a short, 2-3 bp, RNA-DNA hybrid.

scholarly journals The mechanism of variability in transcription start site selection

eLife ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Libing Yu ◽  
Jared T Winkelman ◽  
Chirangini Pukhrambam ◽  
Terence R Strick ◽  
Bryce E Nickels ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Start Site ◽  
Single Molecule ◽  
Transcription Initiation ◽  
General Mechanism ◽  
Start Site ◽  
Transcription Start ◽  
Transcription Bubble ◽  
Promoter Dna

During transcription initiation, RNA polymerase (RNAP) binds to promoter DNA, unwinds promoter DNA to form an RNAP-promoter open complex (RPo) containing a single-stranded ‘transcription bubble,’ and selects a transcription start site (TSS). TSS selection occurs at different positions within the promoter region, depending on promoter sequence and initiating-substrate concentration. Variability in TSS selection has been proposed to involve DNA ‘scrunching’ and ‘anti-scrunching,’ the hallmarks of which are: (i) forward and reverse movement of the RNAP leading edge, but not trailing edge, relative to DNA, and (ii) expansion and contraction of the transcription bubble. Here, using in vitro and in vivo protein-DNA photocrosslinking and single-molecule nanomanipulation, we show bacterial TSS selection exhibits both hallmarks of scrunching and anti-scrunching, and we define energetics of scrunching and anti-scrunching. The results establish the mechanism of TSS selection by bacterial RNAP and suggest a general mechanism for TSS selection by bacterial, archaeal, and eukaryotic RNAP.

scholarly journals The mechanism of transcription start site selection

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Libing Yu ◽  
Jared T. Winkelman ◽  
Chirangini Pukhrambam ◽  
Terence R. Strick ◽  
Bryce E. Nickels ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Start Site ◽  
Single Molecule ◽  
Transcription Initiation ◽  
General Mechanism ◽  
Start Site ◽  
Transcription Start ◽  
Transcription Bubble ◽  
Promoter Dna

SUMMARYDuring transcription initiation, RNA polymerase (RNAP) binds to promoter DNA, unwinds promoter DNA to form an RNAP-promoter open complex (RPo) containing a single-stranded "transcription bubble," and selects a transcription start site (TSS). TSS selection occurs at different positions within the promoter region, depending on promoter sequence and initiating-substrate concentration. Variability in TSS selection has been proposed to involve DNA "scrunching" and "antiscrunching," the hallmarks of which are: (i) forward and reverse movement of the RNAP leading edge, but not trailing edge, relative to DNA, and (ii) expansion and contraction of the transcription bubble. Here, using in vitro and in vivo protein-DNA photocrosslinking and single-molecule nanomanipulation, we show bacterial TSS selection exhibits both hallmarks of scrunching and anti-scrunching, and we define energetics of scrunching and anti-scrunching. The results establish the mechanism of TSS selection by bacterial RNAP and suggest a general mechanism for TSS selection by bacterial, archaeal, and eukaryotic RNAP.

scholarly journals Interactions between RNA polymerase and the core recognition element are a determinant of transcription start site selection

2016 ◽  
Vol 113 (21) ◽  
pp. E2899-E2905 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irina O. Vvedenskaya ◽  
Hanif Vahedian-Movahed ◽  
Yuanchao Zhang ◽  
Deanne M. Taylor ◽  
Richard H. Ebright ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Transcription Start Site ◽  
Transcription Initiation ◽  
Specific Protein ◽  
Start Site ◽  
Transcription Start ◽  
Transcription Bubble ◽  
Recognition Element

During transcription initiation, RNA polymerase (RNAP) holoenzyme unwinds ∼13 bp of promoter DNA, forming an RNAP-promoter open complex (RPo) containing a single-stranded transcription bubble, and selects a template-strand nucleotide to serve as the transcription start site (TSS). In RPo, RNAP core enzyme makes sequence-specific protein–DNA interactions with the downstream part of the nontemplate strand of the transcription bubble (“core recognition element,” CRE). Here, we investigated whether sequence-specific RNAP–CRE interactions affect TSS selection. To do this, we used two next-generation sequencing-based approaches to compare the TSS profile of WT RNAP to that of an RNAP derivative defective in sequence-specific RNAP–CRE interactions. First, using massively systematic transcript end readout, MASTER, we assessed effects of RNAP–CRE interactions on TSS selection in vitro and in vivo for a library of 47 (∼16,000) consensus promoters containing different TSS region sequences, and we observed that the TSS profile of the RNAP derivative defective in RNAP–CRE interactions differed from that of WT RNAP, in a manner that correlated with the presence of consensus CRE sequences in the TSS region. Second, using 5′ merodiploid native-elongating-transcript sequencing, 5′ mNET-seq, we assessed effects of RNAP–CRE interactions at natural promoters in Escherichia coli, and we identified 39 promoters at which RNAP–CRE interactions determine TSS selection. Our findings establish RNAP–CRE interactions are a functional determinant of TSS selection. We propose that RNAP–CRE interactions modulate the position of the downstream end of the transcription bubble in RPo, and thereby modulate TSS selection, which involves transcription bubble expansion or transcription bubble contraction (scrunching or antiscrunching).

scholarly journals Core Promoter-Dependent TFIIB Conformation and a Role for TFIIB Conformation in Transcription Start Site Selection

2002 ◽  
Vol 22 (19) ◽  
pp. 6697-6705 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer A. Fairley ◽  
Rachel Evans ◽  
Nicola A. Hawkes ◽  
Stefan G. E. Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Start Site ◽  
Site Selection ◽  
Transcription Initiation ◽  
Core Promoter ◽  
Initiation Site ◽  
Start Site ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Transcription Start ◽  
General Transcription Factor ◽  
Selection Of

ABSTRACT The general transcription factor TFIIB plays a central role in the selection of the transcription initiation site. The mechanisms involved are not clear, however. In this study, we analyze core promoter features that are responsible for the susceptibility to mutations in TFIIB and cause a shift in the transcription start site. We show that TFIIB can modulate both the 5′ and 3′ parameters of transcription start site selection in a manner dependent upon the sequence of the initiator. Mutations in TFIIB that cause aberrant transcription start site selection concentrate in a region that plays a pivotal role in modulating TFIIB conformation. Using epitope-specific antibody probes, we show that a TFIIB mutant that causes aberrant transcription start site selection assembles at the promoter in a conformation different from that for wild-type TFIIB. In addition, we uncover a core promoter-dependent effect on TFIIB conformation and provide evidence for novel sequence-specific TFIIB promoter contacts.

MOLECULAR CLONING OF THE HUMAN GENE FOR VON WILLEBRAND FACTOR AND IDENTIFICATION OF THE TRANSCRIPTION INITIATION SITE

1987 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corolyn J Collins ◽  
Richard B Levene ◽  
Christina P Ravera ◽  
Marker J Dombalagian ◽  
David M Livingston ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Transcription Start Site ◽  
Von Willebrand Factor ◽  
Transcription Initiation ◽  
Promoter Region ◽  
Start Site ◽  
Transcription Start ◽  
Von Willebrand's Disease ◽  
Von Willebrand ◽  
Willebrand Factor

Most patients with von Willebrand's disease appear to have a defect affecting the level of expression of the von Willebrand factor (vWf) gene. Thus, an understanding of the pathogenesis of von Willebrand's disease will require an analysis of the structure and function of the vWf gene in normals and in patients. To begin such analyses, we have screened a human genomic cosmid library with probes obtained from vWf cDNA and isolated a colinear segment spanning ≈175 kb in five overlapping clones. This segment extends ≈25 kb upstream and ≈5 kb downstream of the transcription start and stop sites for vWf mRNA, implying the vWf gene has a length of ≈150 kb. Within one of these clones, the vWf transcription initiation sites have been mapped. A portion of the promoter region has been sequenced, revealing a typical TATA box, a downstream CCAAT box, and a perfect downstream repeat of the 8 base pairs containing the major transcription start site. Primer extension analysis suggests that sequences contained within the downstream repeat of the transcription start site may be used as minor initiation sites in endothelial cells. Transfection studies are underway to evaluate the role of sequences within this promoter region in gene regulatory activity. Comparative restriction analyses of cloned and chromosomal DNA segments strongly suggests that no major alterations ocurred during cloning and that there is only one complete copy of the vWf gene in the human haploid genome. Similar analyses of DNA from vWf-expressing endothelial cells and non-expressing white blood cells suggests that no major rearrangements are associated with vWf gene expression. Finally, cross hybridization patterns among seven mammalian species suggests a strong conservation of genomic sequences encoding the plasma portion of vWf, but a lower degree of conservation of sequences encoding the N terminal region of provWf.

scholarly journals RNA Processing of Nitrogenase Transcripts in the Cyanobacterium Anabaena variabilis

2010 ◽  
Vol 192 (13) ◽  
pp. 3311-3320 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin L. Ungerer ◽  
Brenda S. Pratte ◽  
Teresa Thiel
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Start Site ◽  
Transcription Initiation ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Start Site ◽  
Transcription Start ◽  
Stem Loop ◽  
Upstream Gene ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Nitrogenase Genes ◽  
Cyanobacterium Anabaena

ABSTRACT Little is known about the regulation of nitrogenase genes in cyanobacteria. Transcription of the nifH1 and vnfH genes, encoding dinitrogenase reductases for the heterocyst-specific Mo-nitrogenase and the alternative V-nitrogenase, respectively, was studied by using a lacZ reporter. Despite evidence for a transcription start site just upstream of nifH1 and vnfH, promoter fragments that included these start sites did not drive the transcription of lacZ and, for nifH1, did not drive the expression of nifHDK1. Further analysis using larger regions upstream of nifH1 indicated that a promoter within nifU1 and a promoter upstream of nifB1 both contributed to expression of nifHDK1, with the nifB1 promoter contributing to most of the expression. Similarly, while the region upstream of vnfH, containing the putative transcription start site, did not drive expression of lacZ, the region that included the promoter for the upstream gene, ava4055, did. Characterization of the previously reported nifH1 and vnfH transcriptional start sites by 5′RACE (5′ rapid amplification of cDNA ends) revealed that these 5′ ends resulted from processing of larger transcripts rather than by de novo transcription initiation. The 5′ positions of both the vnfH and nifH1 transcripts lie at the base of a stem-loop structure that may serve to stabilize the nifHDK1 and vnfH specific transcripts compared to the transcripts for other genes in the operons providing the proper stoichiometry for the Nif proteins for nitrogenase synthesis.

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